Denture simulating toy



ec., 15, 1953 l. H. FlsHLovE 2,662,334

DENTURE SIMULATING TOY Filed Nov. 14, 1949l INVEN TOR.

Irving H. Fishloafe Patented ec. 15,1953

STATES IPATNT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates toa novelty amusement device and more particularly to an amusement; device in the representation of a set of human or animal teeth and a tongue, and arranged to simulate the actions of the same.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of an amusement device in the representation of a set of human or animal teeth and tongue, the teeth being adapted to be actuated to be opened and closed and the tongue cooperating with said teeth to project forwardly when said teeth are open and to retract inwardly when said teeth are closed.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device of the foregoing character which is simple and economical to manufacture and whichhas a'high degree of amusement value.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description when considered .in yconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with my invention, showing the teeth in normal or opened position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the teeth in closed position.

Fig. 5 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, my invention is shown in the representation of a set of human teeth. It will be understood however, that the teeth may be representative of other living creatures, including animals. My device comprises upper and lower sections I0 and II hinged together, as will be hereinafter described, and arranged to simulate the action of the upper and lower jaws of a human being or animal. The upper jaw section Ill includes a flat body portion I2 having a rearward straight edge I2a and a substantially arcuate edge I2b shaped to conform to the general configuration of a denture. Depending from the body portion I2 is a ilange HI substantially coextensive in length with the arcuate edge I2b of the portion I2. The flange I4 is preferably integral with the body portion I2 and is provided with a plurality of indentations or markings I 3 which are intended to simulate interdental spaces between the simulated teeth l5. Extending upwardly from the body portion I2 and following the contour of the edge I2b thereof is a flange I6 which projects beyond the plane of the `iiange Id and is intended to be colored so as .to represent `the gum portion of the section I0. The said flange I6 continues rearwardly for a portion thereof and formsa top wall `III `which serves to lend a finished and more attractive appearance to .the section Il). :Depending from the portion l2' are two spaced lugs I8, .each having a perforation. .Disposed substantially medially of the 4lug I8 and depending from 'the body portion I2 is an arm vI 9 perforated at 'the free end thereof.

The .lower jaw section II includes a 'body portion 2| shaped like body portion I2 and provided rearwardly thereof substantially along a medial line with a Yslot 22, the vslot lextending substantially from ythe midpoint to the rrearward edge of the body portion 2l. The said body portion is provided with yan offset lportion 23 which extends under vand around the slot 22 to provide a well 22a. An upstanding flange 24 is formed integral with the body portion 2l and is shaped complementary to the flange I4. The said flange is similarly provided with indentations or division lines 24a to simulate the interdental spaces between the teeth. Depending from the body portion 2| is a flange 25 which similarly to the flange I6 projects beyond the plane of the flange 24 and is colored to simulate the gum portions of the jaw section.

Suitably supported on the body portion 2l are a pair of spaced lugs 26 provided with perforations which are adapted to register with the perforations of lugs I8 to receive pins so as to pivotally connect the jaw sections I0 and II together. A spring 2l is connected to a suitable opening in the rearward portion of each of the sections I0 and II and serves to urge the said sections to open position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. A member 28 has a forward portion 29 shaped in the representation of a tongue and a rearward portion 30 bifurcated and disposed in angular relation to the portion 29. The ends of the furcations are perforated transversely to receive a pin which pivotally connects member 28 to the arm i9. As will be seen clearly in Figs. 1 and 5, the arm I 9 is received between the furcations 30. An abutment 3l is formed on the inner side of the flange 24 and has its top surface 32 inclined for a purpose as will be hereinafter described.

The operation of my device should be apparent from the foregoing description but briefly stated it is as follows: In the normal non-operative position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the jaw sections In and Il are normally in open position 3 with the tongue portion 29 projected forwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and resting on the iiange 24. In order to operate the device, the device may be grasped with the hand so that the thumb is in engagement with the underside of jaw section Il and two or more fingers in engagement with the top surface of the jaw section l0. Upon the application of pressure to bring the sections IU and ll together, the jaw section l0 is caused to move in a counter clockwise direction about its pivot as viewed in Fig. 4. The arm I9 will move correspondingly to the right and will draw therewith the member 28 so that when the anges I4 and 24 are in engagement as shown in Fig. 4, the member 28 is completely retracted within the chamber formed by the two sections I0 and il with the free end of member 28 resting on inclined surface 32 of abutment 3|. Upon release of any pressure tending to move the sections l and Il into engagement, the spring 27 urges the said sections to the open po sition shown in Fig. 3. As the jaw section I0 pivots in a clockwise direction, the arm I9 is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 3 and eects a corresponding movement of the member 28 which slides over abutment surface 32 and the top edge of the ange 24 until it reaches the position shown in Fig. 3 which corresponds to a maximum opening of the sections l0 and H. Thus, upon alternate application and release of pressure tending to open and close the jaw sections the action of a human or animal jaw may be simulated accompanied with a forward projection of the tongue portion when the jaw sections are in open position and a retraction of the tongue portion when the sections are in closed position. It will be thus apparent that upon rapid opening and closing of the jaw sections I9 and Il considerable amusement may be created.

I claim:

A hand held and operated amusement device comprising upper and lower elements in the representation of upper and lower dentures of a human being or animal, said elements being hinged rearwardly thereof each of said elements having an engaging surface forwardly of the hinge, one of said engaging surfaces adapted to be engaged by the thumb of a hand extending from the rear, the other of said engaging surfaces adapted to be engaged by a inger of the hand extending from the rear, a depending arm rigidly associated with said upper element and extending into the space of said lower element, a tongue element having a rearward downwardly directed angular extension hingedly connected at its free end to the end of said depending arm, said tongue element-when said upper and lower elements are in closed positionbeing fully retracted within the space defined by said upper and lower elements, said tongue element-when said upper element is pivotally moved to open position-being simultaneously projected forwardly.

IRVING H. FISHLOVE.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 753,335 Ward Mar. 1, 1904 925,369 Minor June 15, 1909 997,666 Green July 11, 1911 1,340,047 Hansen May 11, 1920 1,751,773 Trosper Mar. 25, 1930 2,430,525 Miller Nov. 11, 1947 2,504,679 Goldfarb Apr. 18, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 383,614 Great Britain 1932 

